... It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. God knows and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara: 216)

If a small thing like nail out of what is in Paradise had appeared, everything between the nock and corner of heavens and Earth would have been adorned, and if a man of the inmates of Paradise would have peeped in and his bracelets disclosed, his brightness would have overshadowed the brightness of the sun, just as the sun overshadows the brightness of the stars.(Tirmidhi)

MIRACLES OF THE QUR'AN

BLACK HOLES

The 20th century saw a great many new discoveries regarding celestial phenomena in the universe. One of these entities, which has only recently been encountered, is the Black Hole. These are formed when a star which has consumed all its fuel collapses in on itself, eventually turning into a black hole with infinite density and zero volume and an immensely powerful magnetic field. We are unable to see black holes even with the most powerful telescope, because their gravitational pull is so strong that light is unable to escape from them. However, such a collapsed star can be perceived by means of the effect it has on the surrounding area. In Surat al-Waqi‘a, Allah draws attention this matter in this way, by swearing upon the position of stars:

And I swear by the stars’ positions—and that is a mighty oath if you only knew. (Qur’an, 56:75-76)

The term “black hole” was first employed in 1969 by the American physicist John Wheeler. Previously, we imagined that we were able to see all the stars. However, it later emerged that there were stars in space whose light we were unable to perceive. Because, the light of these collapsed stars disappears. Light cannot escape from a black hole because it is such a high concentration of mass in a small space. The enormous gravitation captures even the fastest particles, i.e. the photons. For example, the final stage of a typical star, three times the mass of the Sun, ends after its burning out and its implosion as a black hole of only 20 kilometres in diameter! Black holes are "black," i.e. veiled from direct observation. They nevertheless reveal themselves indirectly, by the tremendous suction which their gravitational force exerts on other heavenly bodies. As well as depictions of the Day of Judgement, the verse below may also be pointing to this scientific discovery about black holes:

When the stars are extinguished, (Qur’an, 77:8)

Moreover, stars of great mass also cause warps to be perceived in space. Black holes, however, do not just cause warps in space but also tear holes in it. That is why these collapsed stars are known as black holes. This fact may be referred to in the verse about stars, and this is another important item of information demonstrating that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah:

[I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you what the Tariq is? The Star Piercing [the darkness]! (Qur’an, 86:1-3)

THE STAR SIRIUS

The star Sirius appears in Surat an-Najm (meaning “star”). The double stars that comprise Sirius approach each other with their axes in a bow-shape once every 49.9 years. This astronomical phenomenon is indicated in the verses Surat an-Najm 9 and 49.

When certain concepts mentioned in the Qur’an are studied in the light of 21st century scientific discoveries we find ourselves imparted with yet more miracles of the Qur’an. One of these is the star Sirius, mentioned in Surat an-Najm 49:

… it is He Who is the Lord of Sirius. (Qur’an, 53: 49)

The fact that the Arabic word “shiaara,” the equivalent of the star Sirius, appears only in Surat an-Najm, meaning only “star,” 49 is particularly striking. Because, considering the irregularity in the movement of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, as their starting point, scientists discovered that it was actually a double star. Sirius is actually a set of two stars, known as Sirius A and Sirius B. The larger of these is Sirius A, which is also the closer to the Earth and the brightest star that can be seen with the naked eye. Sirius B, however, cannot be seen without a telescope.

The Sirius double stars orbit in ellipses about one another. The orbital period of Sirius A & B about their common centre of gravity is 49.9 years. This scientific data is today accepted with one accord by the departments of astronomy at Harvard, Ottawa and Leicester Universities. (www.star.le.ac.uk/astrosoc/whatsup/stars.html (Leicester edu dept of Physics & astronomy); www.site.uottawa.ca:4321/astronomy/index.html#Sirius (University of Ottowa); and http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~hrs/ay45/Fall2002/ChapterIVPart2.pdf (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) However, this scientific fact, the accuracy of which was only realised in the late 20th century, was miraculously indicated in the Qur’an 1,400 years ago. When verses 49 and 9 of Surat an-Najm are read together, this miracle becomes apparent:

… it is He Who is the Lord of Sirius, (Qur’an, 53: 49)

He was two bow-lengths away or even closer. (Qur’an, 53:9)

The description in Surat an-Najm 9 may also describe how these two stars approach one another in their orbits. (Allah knows best.) This scientific fact, that nobody could have known at the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, once again proves that the Qur’an is the Word of Almighty Allah.

Imam Rabbani states that the Mahdi will come 1,000 years after our Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) death, within 2000s:

"It is expected that, after 1,000 years, this secret administration will be renovated. It will be granted with superiority... This way, genuine virtue will emerge and cover the degradation... And it is expected that the Mahdi, the supporter, will come. May God be pleased with him." (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 569)

The confirmation of the religious law, the renovation of people takes place in this second thousand. The just witnesses of the truthfulness of this cause are the existence of Prophet Jesus [pbuh] and Mahdi in this period (the second thousand years). (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 611)

Those among the nation of Allah's Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) are highly perfected in faith. It does not matter whether they are few in number, even a thousand years passes after the death of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace). Their being perfected in faith serves to the following end: strenghtening the Islamic law in its true sense.

The coming of the Mahdi after 1,000 years serves this purpose. Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), the last Messenger, gave the glad tidings of his coming. Prophet Jesus (pbuh), on the other hand, will come down after 1,000 years. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 440)

A little more than 1,000 years pass over the passing of God's Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) from this life, a time comes and the true Islam rises from its own ranks and unites with the truth of the Ka`bah. Then, on behalf of the true Islam, the name of truth of Ahmad emerges... From the two names comes a name into effect; and the place of true Islam is left unoccupied until the coming of Prophet Jesus [pbuh]. Ultimately, Prophet Jesus [pbuh] comes and performs his religious duties in conformity with the religious laws of Islam. Then, true Christianity rises from its own ranks and rules in the realms of true Islam. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 470)

A thousand years after the death of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), people will enter the second millennium. According to Imam Rabbani, quoted above, the Mahdi and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come during that time.

Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti wrote that:

The life of this community will exceed 1,000 years, yet be limited to 1,500 years. (Muhammad ibn `Abd ar-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha`ah li Ashrat as-Sa`ah, p. 299)

Thus, as-Suyuti draws attention to Hijri 1000-1500, during which some glad tidings (e.g., the Mahdi's appearance, Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming, and the prevalence of Islam's morality) will come true. We are now in the fifteenth Islamic century. Thus Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) return is very near. (God knows best)

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi also confirms this glad tiding and calls attention to the events that will take place until Hijri 1506:

"The first statement, with reference to 1500, indicates the last times of those who struggle for religion in the End Times; the second statement, with reference to 1506 calls attention to the date of the victorious struggle. (...) until this date (1506), it hints that it will, evidently and clearly, continue in a victorious manner." (Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gayb, p. 46)

He is God - the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Qur'an, 59, 24)

Squirrels, rabbits, zebras, kangaroos, parrots, gazelles, peacocks, butterflies, whales, dolphins, giraffes, tigers, turtles, camels, starfish, swans-all these living things have a unique system most appropriate to meet their several needs. Some have sharp eyes and powerful muscles; others are born with poison fangs or attractive plumage. So, who gave them the information they needed to prepare themselves for an environment they have never yet seen? How does a newborn kitten know that it needs lungs to be able to utilize the oxygen in the atmosphere, or that a fish anticipate that it will need gills to use the oxygen dissolved in the water it swims in? How can birds realize they need light-weight skeletons in order to fly; that sea-going penguins need feathers coated in oil so as not to absorb water? That eagles need sharp eyes to see their prey from thousands of meters above the ground? That a woodpecker needs a special suspension system to protect its head from serious concussion?

We could extend these examples over many pages, but for all of them pose one question: Who recorded the information and corresponding design systems in the genes of all living things?

"In the heavens and earth there are certainly Signs for believers. And in your creation and all the creatures He has spread about there are Signs for people with certainty." (Qur'an 45: 3-4)

Or can we suppose that the ancestors of these living things gained experience over the course of their lives and then, taking succeeding generations into consideration, altered their own genes and evolved such a variety of highly-specialized organs? Did unconscious atoms and blind chance create living things as such miracles of design? Certainly not: It is God, the Lord of the Worlds, Who created living things with their marvelous systems, together with the favorable conditions that allow every living thing in the universe to grow and thrive.

In the Qur'an, Allah points out that most secret conversations are not intended for any good, with the followings verse: "There is no good in much of their secret talk, except in the case of those who enjoin charity, or what is right, or putting things right between people. If anyone does that, seeking the pleasure of Allah, We will give him an immense reward." (Surat an-Nisa': 114)

According to this verse, so long as they are not carried out for sincere purposes, such as leading people towards good, or establishing peace among them, secret meetings are of no benefit to anyone. Satan regards such situations as prime opportunities for deceiving people, whereby he tries to draw them into a way of speaking opposed to Allah. That which is said at secret meetings is done so under the influence of Satan is pointed out in the following verse of the Qur'an: "Conferring in secret is from Satan, to cause grief to those who believe; but it cannot harm them at all, unless by Allah's permission. So let the believers put their trust in Allah." (Surat al-Mujadala: 10) Because of this, Allah warns people and advises them of what to avoid when they find themselves involved in secret meetings:

You who believe! When you confer together secretly, do not do so in wrongdoing and enmity and disobedience to the Messenger; rather confer together in goodness and through a sense of duty. Heed Allah–Him to Whom you will be gathered. (Surat al-Mujadala: 9)

The truth which all need to know is that, while talking in secret we are in the presence of Allah. Words believed to be secret are actually spoken in the presence of Allah. Though they think where were none by themselves privy to their conversation, we are informed that they were not alone:

Do you not see that Allah knows what is in the heavens and on the earth? Three men cannot confer together secretly without Him being the fourth of them, or five without Him being the sixth of them, or fewer than that or more without Him being with them wherever they are. Then He will inform them on the Day of Rising of what they did. Allah has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Mujadala: 7)

Allah hears all that is said in secret meetings. But, those who fail to take this into account inaccurately presume that it is sufficient to keep their conversations secret from other people.

Many examples are given in the Qur'an of those habitual to secret conversations. These examples all show us that, as we are told in the following verses, secret conversations are not for any good:

We know how they listen when they listen to you, and when they confer together secretly, and when the wrongdoers say, "You are only following a man who is bewitched." (Surat al-Isra': 47)

Their hearts are distracted. Those who do wrong confer together secretly, saying, "Is this man anything but a human being like yourselves? Do you succumb to magic with your eyes wide open?" Say: "My Lord knows what is said in heaven and earth. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Surat al-Anbiya: 3-4)

Musa said to them, "Woe to you! Do not fabricate lies against Allah or He will annihilate you with His punishment. Fabricators of lies are bound to fail." They argued among themselves about the matter and had a secret conference. They said, "These two magicians desire by their magic to expel you from your land and abolish your most excellent way of life." (Surah Ta Ha: 61-63)

All these examples given in the Qur'an should show people that there is no good in secret meetings, and that they should avoid them. In these examples is also indicated how this way of speaking is insincere and contrary to the Qur'an. Thus, the faithful are those who heed these warnings and avoid secret conversations. Wherever they are or whoever they may be talking with, they speak in a way which conforms to the Qur'an, they follow the path of Allah and our Prophet (saas), and they summon others to the morality of the Qur'an. Because of this, they have no need of secret conversations.

In contrast to the faithful, insincere people feel a need to conceal their deviousness. Even if for some reason a believer finds himself in their company, for reasons beyond his control, he will certainly recognize the evils of their conversation, never going along with them, but rather trying to draw those around him into virtue.

O mankind! You are the poor ones in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Fatir, 35:15)

Throughout history, insolent and arrogant people have displayed one common characteristic: their power and wealth. These people grew arrogant toward Allah, due to the blessings He granted to them, and turned their faces away from Him. Forgetting that Allah is the real owner of everything, they attempted to claim ownership over what He granted them out of His great kindness. They grew rebellious, directed pressure and violence against believers, and met His Messengers with great hostility. Ultimately, Allah seized them with an unbearable torment. For example, He caused some of them to be swallowed up by an earthquake and showed others that He is Rich Beyond Need. In one verse, Allah relates the situation of such nations, as follows:

That is because their Messengers brought them the Clear Signs, but they said: “Are human beings going to guide us?” So they were unbelievers and turned away. But Allah is completely independent of them. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. (Surat at-Taghabun, 64:6)

These arrogant and unbelieving people fail to remember or grasp that only Allah, the sole Owner, actually owns all that exists. Allah informs us of this fact, as follows:

Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. We have instructed those given the Book before you, and you yourselves, to have fear [and awareness] of Allah. But if you are unbelievers, what is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. (Surat an-Nisa’, 4:131)

The Qur’an informs us that these people, because they were well-off, had grown arrogant and thus had turned away from worshipping Allah and adhering to His Messengers. Prophet Musa (as) responded to them in the following manner:

Musa said: “If you were to be ungrateful, you and everyone on Earth, Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:8)

As Allah informs us in many other verses, He is the real Owner of power and wealth. He is Rich Beyond Need of any being, but everything and everyone is in need of Him, as the Qur’an reveals below:

Have they not traveled in the land and seen the final fate of those before them? They were far greater than them in strength. Allah cannot be withstood in any way, either in the heavens or on Earth. He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Surah Fatir, 35:44)

Al-Afuw means "the One Who is all-pardoning"; al-Ghaffar means "the One Who has plenty of mercy and forgiveness." People are prone to error and forgetfulness, and so make countless mistakes and so feel regret countless times while in this world. Yet each time they sincerely repent, they find Allah most merciful and all-forgiving, because He is the most merciful to His servants, and protects and forgives them. Allah informs people of this truth:

Anyone who does evil, or wrongs himself and then asks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nisa’, 110)

Another verse relates that Allah may forgive all wrongdoing except associating other deities with Him:

Allah does not forgive anything being associated with Him, but He forgives whomever He wills for anything other than that. Anyone who associates something with Allah has committed a terrible crime. (Surat an-Nisa’, 48)

This book deals with the Muslim world's need for the establishment of an Islamic Union and its importance for world peace in the light of the political, sociological and economic facts.

The current situation clearly suggests that Muslims will influence the developments of the twenty-first century in one way or another. However, what really matters here is that this influence must benefit the Islamic world in particular and humanity in general.

The first thing that comes to mind at this stage is whether the Islamic world can play such a role, given its present condition. No doubt, Muslims have the necessary ability and awareness to shoulder this responsibility. Since the era of the Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace), Muslims led the way in science, reason, thought, art, culture, and civilization, and produced many benefits for humanity. Muslims taught the world science, reasoning, medicine, art, hygiene, and countless other subjects. In order to restart the rise of Islam, powered by the Qur'an's light and wisdom, present-day Muslims have to acquire guidance based on the Qur'an's morality and the Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) Sunnah (His example, or way of life).

The Islamic world's disunity and fragmentation is an even more urgent and vital problem that must be resolved. The fact that the Muslims have not been able to create a powerful and active Islamic Union is a major contributor to many of today's ills. When a strong Islamic Union is formed, such problems will either not arise or will be resolved far quicker than anticipated.

The end times refer to a period very close to the Day of Judgment, when the morality of the Qur'an will come to prevail and people all over the world will come to live by it. The immorality, oppression, cruelty, injustice and degeneration of previous ages will disappear in that holy time to be replaced by abundance, wealth, beauty, peace and stability. There will be tremendous technological advances, which all people will use for good purposes and well-being.

The aim of this site is to encourage people to think about this aspect of the end times, and to share that joy and excitement with one another.